Fulani, Pulaar in Senegal

Introduction / History

Over one million Pulaar (or Tukulor) live in the West African nations of Senegal, The Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea, and Mali. Most are located in Senegal, where they comprise nearly one-tenth of the population. They are mainly concentrated in the Middle Senegal River Valley near the Dagana River.

The Pulaar likely descended from the Fulani and the Wolof or Serer tribes. Their name comes from the Arabic word Takrur, which was used to describe an eleventh-century realm near the middle Senegal River Valley. Today, the Tukulor are known by various names, including Pulaar and Torobe. They have retained their languages, and many are also fluent in Arabic.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Pulaar Fulani live a rural life. They raise livestock, farm and fish. They live in small villages in round huts made of clay or rough bricks, with straw roofs. Their dietary staples include rice, millet, sorghum, fish, nuts and fruit. A steadily rising population and an unequal distribution of land have resulted in the emigration of large numbers of Pulaar (particularly youth) to the cities in search of better job opportunities.

Traditional Pulaar society is divided into four main social classes, each having twelve "castes." Their social life is a mixture of local customs and Islamic traditions. Neither Islam, the effects of colonization, nor the goals of various national leaders have been able to erase the old social divisions.

The torobe are the aristocratic class. Villages are governed by a group of elders from this caste. The middle class, or rimbe, is made up of fishermen, farmers, tradesmen and administrators. The middle class includes the craftsmen, and the lower class includes the freed slaves and the slaves. Social status rarely changes.

The Pulaar Fulani in Senegal marry within their class divisions, women usually between the ages of 16 and 18, and men between the ages of 25 and 30. At age 20, young men start their own herds to prepare for marriage. He will need cattle for the bride price and to sustain the new family. Families are generally large, with an average of six children per family.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Pulaar Fulani first accepted Islam in the eleventh century. Traditional Muslim beliefs regarding the nature of man and his destiny after death play a significant role in their worldview. Muslim brotherhoods teach a mystical approach to Islam: the people seek closer relationships to God through rituals, prayer and other techniques. Islam has not changed their attitudes toward spiritism and magic. The people use charms, amulets and witchcraft. The Pulaar Fulani attribute supernatural powers to various Muslim clerics who practice divination, the use of supernatural powers.

What Are Their Needs?

Islam has enormous penetration into every aspect of Pulaar Fulani life. A somewhat isolated people with minimal exposure to other religious ideas, the Pulaar Fulani view the world and gain their personal identities from their rigid beliefs in the Islamic family and community. They are extremely reluctant to leave the world they know.

Their villages often lack good water. Malaria and infectious diseases inflict a heavy toll each year.

In remote rural settings education is often limited to older children teaching their younger siblings oral stories and proverbs. They sometimes also get an Islamic education which involves memorizing and chanting from the Koran. In urban settings children usually at least get an elementary education. Most Pulaar Fulani cannot read well enough for any job that requires formal education.

Prayer Points

Pray for loving gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Pulaar Fulani people and that in God's sovereign timing the hearts of these people would be open and ready to follow him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended families so the gospel will spread rapidly.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to give Pulaar Fulani elders dreams of the Christ, drawing them to him.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Pulaar Fulani people in Senegal to become fruitful so others will be drawn to Jesus Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project